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**Attendees will receive 15 hours of CE for attending Monday/Tuesday keynote sessions & breakout sessions.
Assessor Training Stipends and Performance Bonuses
Presenter: Brian Replogle, Special Services & Education Coordinator, IDOR; Lori Barringer, Appraisal Manager, IDOR
Discover the rewarding opportunities offered through Assessor Training Stipends and Performance Bonuses. Did you know that the state provides annual training stipend and performance bonuses to qualifying assessor positions? Join the talented team from the Department of Revenue as they share an engaging overview of how these stipends and bonuses work. Learn about the key responsibilities of the CCAO versus Assessors, get expert tips on completing your bonus application accurately and efficiently, and discover common pitfalls to avoid. Don’t miss this chance to enhance your career and maximize your benefits!
The Drivers of Human Behavior
Presenter: Scott Tillema, The Negotiations Collective
In this breakout, participants will be engaged in an exploration of what drives human behavior, and what needs must be addressed to reach more interpersonal success. Through interactive exercises, we will discuss concepts of fairness, autonomy, and appreciation, and how it’s critical that we provide these to those we serve. We will demonstrate how things can go wrong without these needed elements.
Also, we take a look at body language and how this impacts the conversation, as what we see is more important than what we hear. We will engage in exercises to more deeply understand the power of sight and the problem of disconnect between what we see and what we hear.
Participants emerge from this session with a deeper understanding of relationship psychology, and how drivers of influence can be used to get better outcomes, even in challenging situations.
What Do You Do When You Feel Stuck and Need Clarity
Presenter: Mark Warren, Executive Director, Board Consultant, Life Coach
When the path forward feels unclear, clarity becomes critical. In this engaging session, leadership coach Mark Warren shares practical tools to help you get unstuck, realign your priorities, and move forward with confidence. Discover strategies for gaining perspective, making intentional decisions, and leading with renewed focus.
Answering The Wrong Question
Presenter: Robert D. Becker, Owner & President, R.D. Becker Valuation, LLC
Through case-driven insights, participants explore how misframing valuation questions can impact outcomes and credibility. The discussion emphasizes clear problem identification, proper appraisal methodology, and lessons assessors can apply to strengthen future valuations.
The Art of the Deal
Presenter: Robert D. Becker, Owner & President, R.D. Becker Valuation, LLC
This interactive session explores how individual decisions shape real market behavior and ultimately define market value. Through an engaging demonstration, participants experience key elements of market transactions and then examine how motivation, information, timing, and negotiation dynamics influence value. A lively discussion connects these insights to real‑world assessment practice. This activity depends on participants working together.
Commercial/Industrial Appeals and Appraisal Review
Presenter: Donna VanderVries, Immediate Past President, IAAO
This breakout focuses on building a strong, defensible commercial and industrial appeal. Attendees will gain insight into identifying meaningful valuation evidence, critically evaluating appraisal credibility, and understanding how market data and highest and best use analysis influence appeal outcomes and assessment decisions.
Valuation AI, Done Right: Tools, Prompts, and What’s Next
Presenter: Robert D. Becker, Owner & President, R.D. Becker Valuation, LLC
Stop misusing AI and start extracting value for assessment work. Discover which tools fit valuation tasks and why, learn precise prompt patterns that elevate accuracy and efficiency in real cases, and preview advanced capabilities on the horizon. Practical, interactive, and grounded in appraisal workflows to improve results immediately for assessors.
Residential Appraisals: The Basics
Presenter: Karl Jackson, Chief Deputy Assessor, Warren Township
This presentation provides a basic overview of residential appraisal principles as they relate to property tax assessment and appeals. It examines the statutory definition of fair cash value, core appraisal and USPAP concepts, and the proper application of the Sales Comparison Approach, including comparable selection and adjustment analysis. The session incorporates real-world case studies from Board of Review and Property Tax Appeal Board decisions and highlights best practices for assessing appraisal credibility to support fair, accurate, and defensible property tax assessments.
When Work Comes Home: Protecting Your Most Important Relationships
Presenter: Jill Savage, Author, Speaker, Relationship Coach
This session explores how work stress can quietly erode our closest relationships. Participants learn practical strategies for shifting out of work mode, communicating pressure without overwhelm, and protecting connection during busy or emotionally draining seasons. Leave with tools to strengthen your home life while navigating the demands of a high‑pressure profession.
You Need Secure, Robust Cloud Email and File Systems - Here is Why
Presenter: Jeff Reiter, CEO/Security Officer, RWK IT Services
Across the state, assessors are still relying on free, unsecurable email—and leaving critical files and property databases exposed. It’s a cybersecurity risk your office can’t afford. In this session, you’ll learn what secure, affordable alternatives exist, how to evaluate them, and how to transition without disrupting your day-to-day. Whether you’re a solo operator or managing a 20-person team, this session will give you practical, actionable steps to protect your office and your data.
Keeping the Public Informed: Using Digital Content to Connect Effectively
Presenter: Austin Savage, CEO, Savage Content Collective
Our communication with the public shouldn't make people feel confused or overwhelmed. Property assessment is built on data, but effective communication turns those numbers into understanding. This session will show you how human-to-human connection takes place digitally, why intentional content matters in every industry, and how you can transform complex assessment information into content that resonates with taxpayers and stakeholders. You'll walk away with actionable ideas to strengthen community relationships at scale, examples of people who are succeeding through content strategy, and best practices for digital channels like social media, blogs, mass emails, and more.
Leveraging Artificial Intelligence for Assessing Property
Presenters: Jeff Reiter, CEO/Security Officer, RWK IT Services & Erin Kljaich, Plainfield Township Assessor
In this session, the presenter explains which AI tools are being used today and why large language models are the most effective tools for assessment work. Participants gain an understanding of the three types of artificial intelligence, how to identify AI solutions appropriate for an assessor’s office, critical steps to take before implementation, and practical tasks where AI adds measurable value.
The Human Element: Soft Skills in Property Tax Assessment Leadership
Presenter: Tara Orris, First Assistant Commissioner, Cook County Board of Review – District 2
Explore the essential soft skills every assessment leader needs to guide teams and serve the public effectively. This session highlights communication, emotional intelligence, adaptability, and problem‑solving as core leadership tools. Learn how these abilities strengthen relationships, improve taxpayer interactions, and support confident, resilient leadership within a modern property tax assessment office.
Glass Half Full – Understanding Your IMRF Benefits
Presenter: Taryn Durst, Member Education Counselor, IMRF
If you want to better understand the nature of IMRF and why you are making contributions, this is for you! An IMRF representative will explain how your pension is funded, your benefits as an IMRF member, and the importance of having more than one savings vehicle as you prepare for your eventual retirement.
Charts in Excel
Presenter: Jeff Lee, Assessor, Lake Villa Township
This session teaches attendees how to convert raw data into meaningful visual representations using Microsoft Excel. Topics include chart components, chart creation workflows, common chart types, customization techniques, and the use of trendlines for identifying trends and supporting valuation decisions. Features practical demonstrations and real-life examples to reinforce key concepts.
What Happens After "No": Appeals of Homestead Exemption Denials to County Boards of Review
Presenter: Mark Armstrong, Supervisor of Assessments, Kane County
Explore what happens after a homestead exemption denial moves into the appeals process. Learn how county boards of review should structure hearings, evaluate evidence, and craft decisions that can withstand court challenges. Gain practical, legally grounded guidance for ensuring fair, consistent, and defensible outcomes when taxpayers pursue their right to appeal.
First Amendment Audits
Presenter: Mark Kimzey, Partner, Airdo Werwas LLC
Learn what a First Amendment audit is and why they’re increasingly common in public offices. This session covers core legal principles, practical do’s and don’ts, and strategies for maintaining professionalism during on‑camera encounters. Gain confidence in responding appropriately while protecting transparency, public trust, and your office’s obligations under the law.
The Freeze Act: Its Origins, Intent, and Modern-Day Use
Presenter: Timothy Jorczak, CAE, AAS, CIAO, McLean County Supervisor of Assessments
The Freeze Act of 1978 permanently altered the way Illinois property would be assessed. Almost fifty years later the act still generates questions and confusion among not only taxpayers, but local officials responsible for administering it. This session will discuss the history of the act and its practical application in the state.
Building Relationships Between Public Offices
Presenters: Julie Russell, CIAO-S, Supervisor of Assessments & Zoning/Plat Act Officer, Fulton County; Mark D. Armstrong, CIAO-M, Supervisor of Assessments, Kane County
The Illinois Property Tax Code requires interaction between township and county assessment offices, county clerks, and county treasurers. But assessors can further benefit by building relationships with other government offices. Zoning and permitting offices, both at the municipal and county level, maintain a wealth of information that can make our jobs easier; and even if a jurisdiction lacks zoning, information about stormwater management, availability of highway curb cuts, and even the siting of wells for drinking water can be useful. Join Julie Russell (Fulton County Supervisor of Assessments and Zoning Administrator) and Mark Armstrong (Kane County Supervisor of Assessments and former chairman of the St. Charles Plan Commission) for this informative session.
The Role of the Township Board
Presenter: Jerry Crabtree, Executive Director, Township Officials of Illinois
Township boards and their level of influence in the various township offices vary widely across the state. This session will give an overview of the role of township boards, their authority, and tips for building effective relationships with them to move your township forward.
Effective Relationships with State Legislators
Presenter: Joshua Crockett, Director of Constituent Outreach for State Senator Dave Koehler
When legislation is pending in the General Assembly (or before things make it that far), effective communication with your state legislators can make a difference for you and the people in your jurisdiction. This session will cover how to approach conversations with state legislators and how to build successful relationships for long-term success.
Things I Learned In My First Term
Presenters: Lisa Gasko, Supervisor of Assessments, Adams County; Alejandro Benitez, CCAO, McHenry County; Riley Kavanaugh, Assessor, Blackberry Township; Ivana Owana, Assessor, Cunningham Township
Mediator: Josh Barnett, Executive Director, IPAI
Taking over an office as an elected or appointed assessor is a big deal. No matter how many years of experience you have, there will always be some bumps in the road and lessons to learn. Session attendees will hear firsthand from colleagues what they learned during their first year in leadership and how you can prepare for the day it is your turn.
Farmland Assessment & Review Committees
Presenter: Brenda Matherly, Director of Local Government, Illinois Farm Bureau
This session provides an overview of farmland assessment statutes, duties and responsibilities of Farmland Review Committees, and addresses common farmland valuation questions from both the township and county level.
Unleashing the Power of Drones
Presenter: Chad Sperry, Director, Western Illinois University GIS Center
Drones are playing a larger role in our technological lives, assessments and GIS included. WIU’s GIS Center will share how they’ve leveraged the power of drones to aid in recovery efforts after the 2019 flood that ravaged western Illinois, partnered with local law enforcement, and worked with various assessment offices in data collection and classification. A drone demonstration will be part of this session.
The Role of the County Board
Presenter: Kelly Murray, IL Association of County Board Members Executive Director
County boards and their role vary widely from county to county. From the form of county government (non-commission vs commission) to the size of the county board, to the scope and reach of responsibility the board has, our county boards are diverse as the state itself. This session will give an overview of the role of county boards, differences in structure and tradition around the state, and tips for effective interaction to help move your county forward.
TOIRMA Coverage & Safety Issues
Presenters: Jim Donelan, TOIRMA Executive Director; Matt Knight, TOIRMA Associate Director
Risk surrounds us every day and comes in many forms. From repetitive motions while at your desk, to fieldwork done outside of the office, risk is a real consideration to keep in mind. TOIRMA staff will share tips and tricks for recognizing, reducing, and managing risk. TOIRMA coverages will also be presented. This session will speak to both individuals and township assessment office leadership.
Economic Development’s Impact on Assessment
Presenter: Patrick Hoban, MSBA, CEcD, EDFP, Bloomington Normal Area Economic Development County President & CEO
Explore how economic development initiatives influence property assessment practices. This session breaks down the what, why, and how behind incentives, redevelopment, and growth strategies—and examines their effects on valuation, tax base shifts, and assessor decision‑making. Gain clarity to navigate evolving economic landscapes with confidence.
CAOA Legislative Committee Update
Presenters: Timothy Jorczak, CAE, AAS, CIAO, McLean County Supervisor of Assessments
The County Assessment Officers Association Legislative Committee will give an overview of the current General Assembly session and legislation impacting property assessment and tax. The session will include Q&A with attendees over current or pending legislation.
The County Clerk’s Role in the Tax Cycle
Presenter: Josh Tanner, Clerk, Macon County
Along with the supervisor of assessments and treasurer, the county clerk plays a pivotal role in the property tax cycle. This session will explore the clerk’s duties and their interactions with other cycle partners. Attendees will walk away with a better understanding of the property tax cycle and the county clerk’s role in it.
Deeds & Document Processing Best Practices and Lessons Learned
Presenters: Braeden Burgess, TrueRoll; Alejandro Benitez, CCAO, McHenry County; Ginger Shaffer, McHenry County
This panel highlights how the County is using automation to streamline property transfer processing, reduce manual workload, and improve accuracy. The initiative automates document categorization with an 85% accuracy target, enabling the system to distinguish simple transfers and automate 80% of one-party transactions while routing exceptions to staff. Automation also supports parcel and township matching, aiming to automatically match 80% of records using combined data points. To minimize errors, the system extracts data at 99% accuracy and displays it alongside the source document for quick verification, reducing manual keying issues.
Beyond the Agenda: Holding Effective Meetings
Presenter: Chesney Leafblad, Director of Training & Development, Cook County Board of Review District 2; Adrianne Suits Bailey, Property Tax Division Manager, IDOR
Ain’t nobody got time for that! Tired of meetings that drain your time, your schedule and your patience? Join this session designed specifically for assessment professionals to learn science based strategies for leading focused, efficient, and outcome driven meetings. Learn how to turn obligatory gatherings into tools for collaboration, clarity, and progress.
The Bare Necessities of Mass Appraisal
Presenter: Chesney Leafblad, Director of Training & Development, Cook County Board of Review District 2
Bridge the gap between theory and results with the Bare Necessities of Mass Appraisal which takes a practical approach to valuation. We will discuss the sketches behind the animation, like data integrity, CAMA functionality, neighborhood delineation, single property factors and more, and culminate with fully animated tips and tricks for public communication.
Science of Learning
Presenter: Amanda Padgitt, Learning Program Manager, IPAI; Chesney Leafblad, Director of Training & Development, Cook County Board of Review District 2; Ivana Owana, Assessor, Cunningham Township
Do you suffer from information overload, have too many tabs open, or frequently find yourself with a highlighting hangover?
If so, we have the cure to what ails you: Learning Science! Explore how evidence-based learning science can improve both the classroom experience and staff training in the property assessment field.
What Are My Rights in the Field?
Presenter: Bloomingdale Township Chief Deputy Assessor Kory Atkinson (moderator), Aaron Croker, Dupage County CCAO; Anthony Pacilli, York Township Assessor; Lisa LaMantia, Grant Township Assessor, Jennifer Hegel, Edwardsville Township Assessor; Jessica Engelmann, Chief Deputy Assessor, Edwardsville Township
Doing fieldwork often brings unnecessary challenges. Grumpy homeowners, poor sightlines, difficult commercial property owners, and threats of harm are just some of the issues assessors encounter in the field. Often assessors are left asking themselves, “What are the legal or best practice limits of what I can do to handle these situations?” Our panel will discuss these issues and others through the lens of their personal experiences and industry standards.
An Examination of the Value of Historic Neighborhoods
Presenter: Strong Towns BloNo President Noah Tang & Andrew Schmidt
Cases and Examples of Why Empathy Matters
Presenter: Erin Kljaich, Assessor, Plainfield Township; Mary Tamez, Assessor, Crete Township
Through real-world cases and practical examples, this session shows how empathy improves assessment accuracy and builds taxpayer trust. Participants explore moments where listening uncovered critical facts, prevented errors, and supported lawful corrections. The discussion connects empathy to compliance, communication, and defensible values—demonstrating why understanding context leads to better outcomes overall.
How To Reduce Mailing Costs Using New Technology and Electronic Delivery
Presenter: Jim Cote’, President, The Master’s Touch, LLC
Jim reveals how to reduce costs using new technology that eliminates paper waste, processing time and reduces the overall postage bill. He will show you how to eliminate the common excuse of “I never received my notice”.
Managing Your Records & the Local Records Act
Presenter: Josh Langfelder
From faxes (are those still a thing?), to emails, to paper files, and more, most of the official records used and maintained by assessment offices fall under the jurisdiction of the Local Records Acts. During this session, we will explore the Local Records Act, what it means for your office, and steps to follow for the disposal of records under Illinois law.
Valuations of Special Purpose Sports Facilities and the Cost Approach
Presenters: Gina Matthiesen, Senior Legal Counsel, Cook County Assessor’s Office; Michael Piper, CCAO Chief Valuations Officer, Cook County Assessor's Office; Mildred Terzic CCAO Director of Special Properties Valuations, Cook County Assessor's Office; Christina Lynch, Director of Legal, Cook County Assessor's Office
Explore how iconic Chicago sports venues are assessed, with a spotlight on Wrigley Field. This session examines valuation by the cost approach as applied by the Cook County Assessor’s Office, highlighting practical assessment techniques, legal considerations, and the challenges of valuing historic, high-profile professional sports facilities.
